80,000 Hawaii kids already enrolled as SUN Bucks sends $120 per child to low-income families this August

It is among the most isolated yet inhabited places in the world, and is the ideal picture of paradise to most. And what is paradise without surfing, pineapples, and the natural beauty of the island? It seems as though this US state has it all, as some families will also qualify for a summer payment of $120 per qualifying child this summer. Check today whether you and your family are among the qualifying families.

This US state is about more than just paradise

The state of Hawaii is paying it forward by supporting low-income families this summer. Hawaii has joined numerous other states that are participating in a federal program aimed at assisting families with children. The program is a joint venture between Hawaii and the US Department of Agriculture, aiming to alleviate food insecurity for children across the islands during the summertime.

“Today is about something simple, but incredibly important — making sure our children have enough to eat. SUN Bucks is a reminder that when we invest in our keiki, we invest in the future of our state. These benefits don’t just help families — they strengthen our local economy by putting dollars directly into our grocery stores, farmers markets and food systems.” – Governor Josh Green

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has confirmed that over 80,000 children in Hawaii have already received the benefits from the SUN Bucks program, which represents more than $14 million in food assistance. However, there are still thousands who may qualify for the program.

These families will qualify for the summer payment

The SUN Bucks program was first launched in 2024, and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green has highlighted her commitment to preventing childhood hunger across the state, because:

“In Hawaiʻi, we care for one another — we mālama our keiki, our kūpuna and our ʻohana.”

This program, also referred to as Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (or Summer EBT) in some states, is a new and permanent initiative that will provide $120 per qualifying child in low-income families. The money will be distributed in the form of food benefits, which will be vital to many families during the summer when there is no access to school meals.

These children will automatically qualify for the SUN Bucks program

In Hawaii specifically, all school-aged children will automatically be enrolled in the program if:

• Their families already receive SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR benefits, or
• Their families receive any other income-based benefits, or
• They attend a school with a National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, or
• Their household income qualifies them for free or reduced-price school meals

All applications must be submitted by the deadline

If your children were not automatically enrolled, but you believe your family can still qualify, you must submit your application before the deadline. Remember, your household must meet the income limits and the other mentioned criteria. According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, applications must be submitted directly to Hawaii’s agency responsible for the SUN Bucks.

Once your child or children have been enrolled, the benefits will either be automatically loaded to your household’s SNAP account, or be distributed as a separate EBT card, or be distributed in any other way as indicated by the state. The cards can be utilized anywhere EBTs are accepted, including local farmer markets via the Da Bux program.

Hawaii has joined many other states that provide financial relief to its residents to make ends meet in a time when the effects of the cost of living and high inflation rate are felt by everyone across the nation. Many other states are participating in the program, as well as programs such as the SNAP benefits program.

Disclaimer: Our coverage of stimulus checks, tax reliefs, tax rebates, tax credits, and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up to date and obtain information for your decision-making.